Google Takes a Field Trip to iOS

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Google Takes a Field Trip to iOS

Dennis Underwood

When Google's city guide app Field Trip launched on Android in September, the company promised a version for Apple's iOS was "coming soon." Evidently, that means "in six months" at the Googleplex, because Field Trip finally landed on iOS on Thursday.

The truth is, there probably aren't many iPhone and iPod touch users who've been jonesing for Field Trip the way millions of users clamored for Google Maps on iOS. After all, the Android version hasn't even hit the 500,000-download mark on Google Play.

Nonetheless, that doesn't mean it isn't worth downloading on iOS or Android. The app is essentially an evolving guidebook that tips you off to the cool places and events located near you. It determines your location by way of GPS, nearby cell towers or Wi-Fi, then recommends nearby historic landmarks, tourist hubs, restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and art galleries along with all sorts of shopping. As a part of Google's ongoing quest to deliver search results before you ask for them, Field Trip pushes recommendations to you at three different speeds, frequently, occasionally, or not at all, depending on what you choose.

The look and feel of Field Trip on Android and iOS is almost exactly the same, which is unusual for Google. But that's not at all a bad thing. The user interface is clean, colorful and intuitive. Since this is a Google product, the recommendations are fed into Field Trip from Google Offers and Zagat (which Google owns). Google also partners with a couple dozen publications, TV networks, consumer brands, and nonprofit groups to supply suggestions too.

You can also tailor what Field Trip throws at you based on categories it has to narrow down your interests – architecture, historic places and events, lifestyle, offers and deals, etc. And, you can tell the app if you like or dislike recommendations it makes, which helps the app give you better suggestions.

There is no tablet-optimized version of Field Trip. So running it on an iPad won't be a great experience. Overall Field Trip is useful to find something to eat, a nearby rock show, and something to do on the weekend. The app is better suited to those who don't know their city too well, or who are visiting a location for the first time. But even those who have their local scene well mapped out are sure to find something new.